KLEIN, AVELLA JOIN LAWMAKERS & ALUMNI TO LAUNCH PROPOSAL TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN SPECIALIZED HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

Proposal will increase access to resources from an early age to ensure every child has access to educational enrichment opportunities

Independent Conference Leader Jeff Klein, State Senator Tony Avella, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, and Assemblyman Walter Mosley joined alumni groups and advocates to launch a new proposal to increase diversity in the New York City Specialized High Schools’ student admission.

In a proposal released today, “New York City Specialized High Schools Diversity Initiative and Gifted and Talented Program Expansion,” the Independent Democratic Conference laid out a four-step plan to increase diversity in the schools’ enrollment by increasing resources for underrepresented groups at the elementary and middle school levels.

“A Specialized High School might be a great fit for so many of New York City’s underrepresented students, but we will never know if we don’t ensure that every student has the resources to prepare and apply. While studies have shown that changing the admissions process will not increase diversity, we know that increasing access to resources from an early age will. Our proposal will provide outreach coordinators, establish test prep programs in every school district, implement a Middle School Pipeline program at every Specialized High School, and increase the Gifted and Talented programs available to all. By providing resources to these students early, and continuing throughout middle school, we can ensure that every child in the New York City public school system has the same opportunity to learn, grow, and potentially enroll in these prestigious schools,” said Senator Klein.

“Bridging the deep diversity gap that exists in our schools starts with strengthening our students' foundations. Studies have shown that simply changing the admissions process would do nothing to address the lack of diversity at our city's most prestigious schools. With this four-step proposal, we will improve outreach to underrepresented schools, expand Gifted and Talented programs, unburden parents of costly test preparation programs by making them available in every district and implement Middle School Pipeline programs which have already been proven effective. This more than just checking off a box, this is the opportunity to ensure that every student has an opportunity to enter one of these esteemed schools,” said Senator Avella.

The proposal details the disproportionately low number of black and Latino students that apply for and enroll in the New York City Specialized High Schools every year. In a review of the rising population of eighth graders from 2005 to 2013, despite the fact that black and Latino students made up a majority of eighth graders - 71.6 percent - they made up only 52 percent of students who take the Specialized High School Admission Test.

Of the students who were offered a seat at one of the Specialized High Schools from 2005 to 2013, black and Latino students comprise only 16.1 percent, with white students comprising 29.1 percent and Asian students comprising 54.2 percent. In the most recent data released by the Department of Education, while 19 percent of all test-takers were offered a spot, only 3 percent of black students and just over 5 percent of Latino students were admitted.

The proposal found that many students advance to a Specialized High School from a feeder middle school - a school that prepares its students for admissions - and that 42 percent of those schools have a Gifted and Talented program to enrich their high-achieving students. However, the school districts with the highest concentration of black and Latino students also had the lowest number of schools with Gifted and Talented programs. Shockingly, the two school districts in The Bronx with high concentrations of black and Latino students had no Gifted and Talented program at all.

Senators Klein and Avella laid out a four-step proposal to tackle New York City’s Specialized High Schools increasing diversity problem.

While information about the schools is made available to the public, middle school administrators and teachers play a significant role in informing and encouraging students. To ensure that every student is encouraged to apply, regardless of their middle school, the IDC proposes investing $350,000 to provide an outreach coordinator at every Specialized High School. The outreach coordinator would contact underrepresented middle schools and families in order to increase the number of applicants coming from those groups.

Students who are ultimately offered a spot at one of these coveted schools typically go through extensive preparation to take the exam, starting as early as the sixth grade. However, test preparation can be expensive and unaffordable for many low-income families. The IDC would dedicate $1 million to establish test preparation programs in every school district, to ensure that every student has equal access to a rigorous preparatory program.

The Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation/National Grid STEM program currently provides STEM instruction and test prep to students from underrepresented middle schools in Brooklyn, and has played a significant role in helping black and Latino students secure spots. The IDC proposal would replicate this successful program, and establish a Middle School Pipeline program with instructional and test prep components. By securing funding of $1.28 million, this program would run Monday through Thursday, for five weeks, with extensive Saturday test preparation, and ultimately provide a direct pipeline into a specialized school for underrepresented middle schools students.

High-performing elementary and middle schools with Gifted and Talented programs ultimately serve as the best preparation for admissions to the Specialized High Schools. However, access to these programs is shockingly absent among underrepresented groups. The IDC would invest $2.55 million to increase the number of elementary and middle school Gifted and Talented programs in low-income neighborhoods throughout New York City.

“The underrepresentation of some minority groups in New York’s Specialized High Schools is indicative of a larger set of challenges facing this city’s educational system that begin as early as kindergarten or before for many students. While some have advocated for a more complex admissions process, they are in reality doing a disservice to the students they want to help, and to the premise of objectivity upon which these specialized schools were founded. I strongly oppose making any changes to the SSHAT. I am proud to support this proposal, which would provide funding for students to take free test preparation classes, in addition to investing in outreach coordinators at each of the specialized high schools will be effective in raising the numbers of potentially qualified minority applicants attending these schools, while maintaining the schools’ academic integrity,” said Assemblyman Dinowitz, a Bronx Science Alum.

“I applaud the IDC for implementing this diversity initiative for New York City Specialized High Schools. Assembly member Jeffrey Dinowitz and myself have championed this proposal to the Speaker of the Assembly as well. We must expand the programs that prepare our youth to take the Specialized High School Admission Test. As a member of the Board of Regent’s blue ribbon panel on improving outcomes for boys and young men of color, we highlighted the need for more programing to prepare them to compete for positions that Specialized high schools in New York City in a report issued last year. I look forward to working with my colleagues in government to push this initiative and it a  reality,” said Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley.

8th Annual 5K run/walk at the Bronx Zoo

WCS Run for the Wild is presented by Con Edison

The Wildlife Conservation Society

Reboots Annual WCS Run for the Wild^tm

With New Prizes and Race Day Activities

8^th Annual 5K run/walk is dedicated to saving wildlife

Runners/walkers can run on behalf of any species that inspires them

New fundraising prizes include a chance to win

a South Pacific cruise and VIP Yankees tickets

All new race day activities include

beer garden, rock climbing wall, silent disco, face painting, and more

#RunForTheWild

Event date:

Saturday, April 30, 2016

at WCS’s Bronx Zoo

Registration open at

www.wcsrunforthewild.com

Bronx, N.Y. – March 7, 2016 – The 2016 WCS Run for the Wild is scheduled for Saturday, April 30. Runners, walkers, and wildlife supporters are invited to participate in the 8^th annual 5K race and family fun run/walk at the Bronx Zoo.

Each year, WCS Run for the Wild is committed to raising awareness of the threats facing wildlife while raising money to help WCS conservation work at the Bronx Zoo and around the world. This year runners and walkers can choose to participate on behalf of whatever species most inspires them. Since its inception in 2009, more than 40,000 people have participated.

Registration is now open and there are many ways to participate. Visit www.wcsrunforthewild.com to register for the run or family fun walk; make a donation; or support a friend or team.

The new line-up of fundraising prizes include entry into a drawing for a chance to win a seven-night cruise for two in Tahiti and the Society Islands, courtesy of Paul Gauguin Cruises* (entries accepted now through April, 3), and keep an eye on the website for other prize drawings including VIP tickets to see the New York Yankees, courtesy of Modell’s Sporting Goods.

Registration for the run is $45 for adults, $35 for children (3–15), and $35 for seniors (65+). All WCS members receive a discount on registration. Participants are encouraged to seek individual sponsors for their run/walk, and all adult (and senior) participants are required to raise a minimum of $30 in order to participate. The WCS Run for the Wild is expected to sell out, so runners and walkers are encouraged to sign up early.

The price of registration includes parking and general admission to the Bronx Zoo on the day of the event. Total Experience Ticket upgrade is available on site.

Registrants can choose from two different events. The 5K run for individual runners will begin at 8:00 a.m.; casual runners and walkers can take part in the Family Fun Run/Walk at 8:45 a.m.

After the run, everyone is encouraged to stay at the Bronx Zoo to enjoy the wildlife for the rest of the day. This year’s run features an entirely new line-up of race day activities. Enjoy a local microbrew at the beer garden (age 21 and above); burn off some extra energy on the all new rock climbing wall; or grab a set of headphones and enjoy the silent disco on the Bronx Zoo’s historic Astor Court. A full listing of race day activities is available at www.wcsrunforthewild.com.

The zoo’s marquee exhibits will be open for everyone to enjoy for the day. All are welcome to visit the Bronx Zoo’s animal ambassadors for extra inspiration and to learn about the conservation work WCS is doing to save wildlife and wild places around the globe. Exhibits like Tiger Mountain, Madagascar!, and Jungle World are just a few of the exhibits that will bring people face-to-face with some of the species that they are helping to save through their participation in or support of the WCS Run for the Wild.

In addition to the chance to win in drawings for the cruise, prizes will be awarded to those who meet various fundraising goals. For $30 in pledges, runners will earn a WCS Run for the Wild T-shirt; $75 earns a cheetah plush; $150 earns a tote bag; $300 earns a cooling towel; $600 earns a runner’s pack; $1,500 earns a VIP brunch. Each ascending incentive level achieved includes ALL prizes from the lower levels.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes begins 12:00 a.m. (midnight) ET on 3/5/16 & ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 4/3/16. Open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 or older. Void where prohibited. See Official  Rules for full details, including eligibility, prize description, and limitations.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOUSING DISCRIMINATION BAN & GREEN CONSTRUCTION BILLS PASS

 

The NY City Council passed two bills sponsored by Council Member Jumaane D. Williams

Today, the New York City Council voted to pass two bills sponsored by Council Member and Deputy Leader Jumaane D. Williams. The two bills included a Domestic Violence Housing Discrimination Ban, Intro 832 and a Green Construction bill, Intro 721. Domestic Violence Housing Discrimination Ban, Intro 832 Intro 832-A prohibits discrimination in housing accommodations on the basis of an individual's status as a victim of domestic violence. Victims of intimate partner violence frequently struggle with housing discrimination, including denial of new leases, refusal to renew leases, refusal of housing vouchers, evictions and being unable to temporarily leave their home to escape domestic violence. "Domestic violence continues to threaten the safety and lives of too many New Yorkers," said Council Member Williams. "Too often, victims of domestic violence are evicted or prevented from renting apartments simply because they have been abused - this is not only wrong, it's horrifying. Today, I am proud to stand with my colleagues as we pass intro 832 to make housing discrimination against victims of intimate partner violence illegal." New York City already has the strongest Human Rights laws in the United States. With the passage of this legislation, the New York City Council is expanding the law to protect domestic violence victims against housing discrimination. Between 2001 and 2012, there were 864 domestic violence homicides in New York City, eighty percent of which were women. The current administration is doing substantial outreach and domestic violence incidents, including homicides, are decreasing. But, domestic violence remains a serious problem. In 2014 alone, there were over 280,000 domestic incident reports.   Victims of intimate partner violence often struggle to find safe and affordable housing because landlords are quick to discriminate by denying new rental applications and evicting tenants. Nationally, 11 percent of evictions involved discrimination against domestic violence victims.   Today, New York City took an important step towards protecting all New Yorkers and ensuring that victims of intimate partner violence can more easily find safe housing. Green Construction, Intro 721 Intro 721-A, updates and strengthens the green building standards for certain city capital projects. The bill will increase the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, green building rating which certain capital projects are required to achieve. "As climate change worsens, the amount of new construction in New York City continues to increase. We have an obligation to ensure that new buildings constructed by the city are environmentally friendly," saidCouncil Member Williams. "Intro 721, which I am proud to sponsor, requires city-owned buildings to meet stricter, expanded green building standards."    Under current law, most city capital projects are required to achieve a LEED version 3 rating level of Certified or Silver, depending on building type. Intro 721-A would require that such city capital projects achieve the more stringent LEED version 4 rating level of Gold. Additionally, the bill also renews and strengthens reporting requirements and expands the LEED certification requirements. The bill will affect city subsidized or funded capital projects which involve the construction of a new building, an addition to an existing building or the substantial reconstruction of an existing building, with an estimated cost of $2 million dollars or more. Residential buildings will be required to be designed and constructed to comply with an appropriate green building standard adopted by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The bill affords the Mayor the ability to establish alternative green building standards when it is in the public interest; so long as the certification is at least as or more restrictive than LEED Certified, and provided that, where such alternative standards are less stringent than the normally applicable standards, the Mayor or such agency reports the reasons such alternative standards are necessary.The bill also allows an alternative compliance path for buildings used for manufacturing. Outdoor assembly spaces and Group U occupancies, such as carports, have also been exempted. Most new city buildings and major retrofits will need to achieve LEED Gold and cut energy use in half. See more here.

WILLIAMS, GIBSON & LANDER RESPOND TO DOJ DECISION

 

STATEMENT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER JUMAANE D. WILLIAMS, DEPUTY LEADER, COUNCIL MEMBER VANESSA L. GIBSON, CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY & COUNCIL MEMBER BRAD LANDER, DEPUTY LEADER

We join with the Graham family and friends in expressing extreme disappointment in the USDOJ's decision not to prosecute the officers responsible for the shooting death of Ramarley Graham.  This is a heartbreaking setback in what has become a four year journey to justice for the Graham family.

Though we are frustrated justice has been delayed, we remain hopeful it will not be denied. The City can and must act. It is clear that someone who was unarmed was killed and to date no one has been held accountable. Thus, we call upon the Mayor and the Police Commissioner to launch an internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ramarley Graham's death and further urge the Mayor to honor the request for a meeting made by the Graham family over a month ago.

Though today's development has left us saddened and angry, we join with advocates, community leaders, and friends in remembering Ramarley's life rather than the tragedy of his death. We ask all New Yorkers join us in praying for peace and healing for the Graham family during this very difficult time.

U.S. Attorney’s Office Closes Investigation Into The Death Of Ramarley Graham

  Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Ramarley Graham.  Mr. Graham was killed during an encounter with police officers from the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) on February 2, 2012.  Mr. Graham was 18 years old at the time.  The U.S. Attorney met today with Mr. Graham’s family and their representatives to inform them of this decision.

After conducting a thorough and independent investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has determined that there is insufficient evidence to meet the high burden of proof required for a federal criminal civil rights prosecution.  To prove a violation of the federal criminal civil rights statute, prosecutors must establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a law enforcement officer willfully deprived an individual of a constitutional right, meaning that the officer acted with the deliberate and specific intent to do something the law forbids.  This is the highest standard of intent imposed by law, and is different from and higher than the intent standard under the relevant state statutes.  Neither accident, mistake, fear, negligence nor bad judgment is sufficient to establish a federal criminal civil rights violation.

The evidence from the investigation reveals the following: At approximately 2:00 p.m. on February 2, 2012, two members of a team of NYPD police officers from the Street Narcotics Enforcement Unit (“SNEU”) began conducting surveillance of a bodega on White Plains Road in the Wakefield section of the Bronx.  At approximately 2:45 p.m., the NYPD officers observed Ramarley Graham and two other individuals open the door to that bodega, walk in, and then immediately walk out.  Video evidence from a nearby business shows Mr. Graham adjusting the front of his pants as he walked northbound on White Plains Road near the bodega.  The two police officers conducting surveillance informed investigators that, after observing these actions, they transmitted over the police radio a description of Mr. Graham and his companions to the other members of the SNEU team, and further informed the SNEU team that Mr. Graham possibly had a firearm.  The police officers then followed Mr. Graham and his companions as they continued walking north on White Plains Road, and then turned east on East 229th Street.  One of the NYPD officers conducting surveillance reported that, when Mr. Graham reached with his hands to pull at his belt, the officer observed the slide of a firearm tucked into the waistband of Mr. Graham’s pants.  According to the officers, his partner then transmitted over a non-recorded police channel that Mr. Graham had a firearm.  Upon hearing this transmission, the other members of the SNEU team, including NYPD Officer Richard Haste (who had not previously observed Mr. Graham and had not had any prior direct interaction with him), moved to intercept Mr. Graham as he walked eastbound on East 229th Street. 

Video evidence shows that Mr. Graham walked to 749 East 229th Street, which officers later learned to be Graham’s residence.  As Mr. Graham opened the front door, an unmarked police vehicle quickly pulled up and stopped near the front of the house.  As Officer Haste and another officer exited the vehicle, Mr. Graham looked in the direction of the officers and then quickly stepped inside the house and closed the front door.  Approximately five seconds later, Officer Haste ran up to the front door and found it locked.  He then unsuccessfully attempted to kick the door open.  Video evidence shows that Officer Haste proceeded to the back of the house in an attempt to gain entry and entered the house through the back.  Another officer followed him inside a few seconds later.  Video evidence shows that Officer Haste then opened the front door of the building from the inside of the house and let in two additional officers.  Officer Haste and another officer then climbed the stairs up to the second floor apartment. 

Inside that apartment were Mr. Graham, Mr. Graham’s grandmother, and Mr. Graham’s six-year-old brother.  One of the NYPD officers kicked open the door to Mr. Graham’s apartment.  The door to the apartment opened onto a hallway, leading to a living room at the end of the hallway.  The evidence establishes that Officer Haste advanced into the hallway of the apartment with his firearm drawn, where he encountered Mr. Graham.  According to Officer Haste, he gave commands to Mr. Graham to the effect of, “Police, show me your hands.”  Mr. Graham instead moved into an adjacent bathroom.  Officer Haste then advanced down the hallway to the doorway of the bathroom. 

At this critical moment in time, no other witness present in the apartment, including Mr. Graham’s grandmother, had a view of Mr. Graham.  According to Officer Haste, when he looked in the bathroom, he saw Mr. Graham facing him, with his hand in his waistband.  Also according to Officer Haste, Mr. Graham then made a motion as if he were pulling something out of his pants.  Officer Haste stated that he believed that Mr. Graham was reaching for the weapon that had been described in the earlier radio transmission, and that he fired one round from his weapon in response to a perceived deadly threat.  The bullet struck Mr. Graham, causing his death.  No gun was found at the scene.  A bag of marijuana was found in the toilet bowl next to where Mr. Graham was standing. 

In the context of this case, to establish a violation of federal law, the Department of Justice would have to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that, at the time of the shooting, Officer Haste lacked probable cause to believe that Mr. Graham posed a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to others, and that he willfully deprived Mr. Graham of his right to be free from excessive force.  The weight of the evidence indicates that, at the time the shooting took place, Officer Haste believed Mr. Graham to be in possession of a firearm that was tucked into the waistband of his pants, for which Officer Haste believed Mr. Graham was reaching.  Although Officer Haste ultimately was proven to be mistaken in his belief, the determination as to the willfulness of his actions must be assessed in light of his knowledge at the time of the shooting.  

The investigation revealed no evidence to refute Officer Haste’s claim that he shot Mr. Graham in response to his mistaken belief that Mr. Graham was reaching for a gun.  The evidence that, before Officer Haste began to chase Mr. Graham, other officers reported over the police radio that Mr. Graham had a gun is unrefuted.  There are no witness accounts or physical evidence that materially contradict Officer Haste’s statement that Mr. Graham appeared to be pulling something from his waistband at the time of the shooting.  Nor is there any video of the shooting itself.  Accordingly, the Department of Justice could not conclude or prove beyond a reasonable doubt that there was a federal criminal civil rights violation.

This Office analyzed these issues under the standard applicable to criminal cases, which is proof beyond a reasonable doubt.  The Office expresses no view regarding any claims made against any party under the standard applicable to civil cases, which is proof by a preponderance of the evidence.

Accordingly, this Office’s investigation into Mr. Graham’s death has been closed.

Mr. Bharara expressed his deep sympathy to the family of Mr. Graham for their tragic loss.    

Council Member Andy King Responds to Decision Re: Shooting of Ramarley Graham

  Council Member Andy King Responds to Decision to Not Charge NYPD Officerin Fatal 2012 Shooting of Ramarley Graham

New York City Council Member Andy King represents the 12^th Council District, home of Graham’s family and where the shooting took place.

Said Council Member King, “I am shocked, angered and 100 percent disappointed that the federal government has decided that black lives don’t matter as Unites States Attorney Preet Bharara has chosen to close the investigation into the death of Bronx teen Ramarley Graham at the hands of Police Officer Richard Haste.  It is unconscionable that the federal government deemed that no more action is warranted.  What message is being sent to African Americans?  I am equally disgusted that Commissioner Bratton sat in our Black, Latino and Asian Caucus meeting and told the body that he was instructed by the US Attorney to hold off on departmental disciplinary acts until a decision was made.  I am dismayed today to hear that this conversation  never took  place.  Here we go again with trust issues. Here again trust is broken.”

“As the Council Member who represents this area, I’ve had to play the voice of reason in my district when emotions ran high.  So today’s decision makes it very difficult to walk down that road of continuing to place trust in a system that tells us time and time again that black lives don’t matter.  This is yet another example in our society of the African American life not being considered 100% whole.” 

“Our Perseverance In The Future Lies in the Resiliency of Our Past”—Council Member Andy King

STATEMENT FROM BP DIAZ RE: Ramarley Graham

  RE: Ramarley Graham/USDOJ Case Update

  “I am deeply saddened and extremely shocked by today's news of the failure of the United States Department of Justice to convene a grand jury in the case of NYPD Officer Richard Haste, the police officer responsible for the death of Ramarley Graham. My heart goes out to the Graham families, who have now seen their quest for justice for their son twice denied.

“After today’s announcement, we must share in the family’s frustration, having to relive this tragedy four years since Ramarley Graham’s life was taken away from him. This latest development is an outrage. At a time when the issue of police-community relations has been at the forefront of American discourse—especially the treatment of minorities by those charged to protect and serve them—the U.S. Attorney’s office has failed to set an example for our nation.

“Given what we know about the facts of this case, how could they not have convened a grand jury? The U.S. Attorney owes our community a real explanation.

“Though we are disappointed, the best way to honor Ramarley Graham’s memory is to come together in healing and work towards solutions. I offer my prayers to Ramarley Graham’s family, and I wish them peace in this difficult time,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

Council Member Andrew Cohen - Dates and Locations for Participatory Budgeting Voting

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